“In the game against Fulham, 20 German coaches were in the stadium,” said Klopp. “I’m not sure how the critics were but when I saw them and we had a drink together, they were saying ‘Bobby Firmino. What a player.’

“Because of the small things he’s doing, he’s working so hard, he’s here, he’s there, he’s got six goals but he opens 5 000 gaps for everybody.” Place bet on LIVE MATCHES 24/7

Unbeaten Liverpool has a club-record 33 points at this stage of a Premier League season and are just two points behind leaders Manchester City.

The Reds have not set pulses racing as much as they did last season, when they got to the Champions League final and finished fourth, but Klopp feels their new-found patience and pragmatism is paying off.